Effect of photodynamic therapy with posterior sub-tenon triamcinolone acetonide on predominantly classic choroidal neovascularization: one-year results.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare the results of monotherapy (photodynamic therapy) and combined therapy (photo-dynamic therapy with posterior sub-Tenon triamcinolone acetonide) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty eyes from forty patients with diagnosed neovascular AMD were enrolled in this study during March-2005 - October-2008. All patients were grouped in either the study or the control group. Both the study and control groups consisted of 20 eyes from 20 patients. The study group was treated with posterior sub-Tenon triamcinolone acetonide (PSTA) along with their initial photodynamic therapy (PDT) treatment. The control group members were treated with PDT alone. All patients were examined at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. Visual acuity (VA), lesion size and number of treatment sessions were recorded during each examination. RESULTS The mean difference between pre- and post-treatment VA using the Snellen chart was +0.6 ± 1.7 in study group and -1.4 ± 1.7 in control. The difference for VA was significant in the study group as compared to control (p<0.05). The decrease in lesion size in the study group was 680±1195.2 µm, and the decrease was 32.75 ± 809.9 µm in the control. The difference with regard to the decrease in lesion sizes was significant in the study group as compared to the control (p<0.05). Total PDT treatment sessions were applied 1.2 times per patient in the study group and 1.9 times per patient in the control group. The difference was not significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSION Our study showed that PSTA with PDT significantly reduces CNV growth, and improves VA at the 12-month follow-up in patients with AMD.